ATEN VE8962T True 4K HDMI over IP Extender Transmitter
The ATEN VE8962T is the transmitter half of a point-to-point HDMI over IP extension system that delivers true 4K (4096×2160 or 3840×2160 @ 60Hz, 4:4:4 chroma) at distances up to 100m over standard Cat 5e or Cat 6 infrastructure — without a dedicated coax run, fiber converter, or analog downgrade. If your source device is within 5m of a network drop and your display is up to 100m away, this is the architecture that keeps your cabling plan clean. Pair it with the companion receiver and you have a low-latency, full-bandwidth 4K distribution link that runs on the same structured cabling plant as your data network.
Overview
The VE8962T uses an optimized JPEG2000 codec plus a proprietary compression layer to push 4K/60Hz 4:4:4 signal over a single Cat 5e or Cat 6 run — a real alternative to HDBaseT in environments where you want IP-native transport or need to integrate with AV over IP extender infrastructure rather than point-to-point HDMI matrix switching. Latency is approximately one frame, which makes it practical for interactive presentations, digital signage control rooms, and command center displays where perceptible lag is unacceptable. The unit ships as the TX (transmitter) side; the matching VE8962R receiver is required to complete the link.
Key Features
- True 4K @ 60Hz, 4:4:4: Supports both DCI 4K (4096×2160) and UHD 4K (3840×2160) at 60Hz with full 4:4:4 chroma subsampling — no color compression artifacts that plague 4:2:0 signal chains. Critical for color-accurate content like medical imaging displays or broadcast monitoring.
- 100m reach over Cat 5e/6: Extends the HDMI signal up to 100m in point-to-point mode using existing structured cabling. Eliminates fiber optic converters or new coax pulls in facilities with Cat 5e or Cat 6 already deployed, keeping retrofit costs down.
- ~1-frame latency: The optimized JPEG2000 compression path keeps end-to-end delay to approximately one video frame — roughly 16–17ms at 60Hz. For live-switched AV, command centers, or operator workstations, this is the latency threshold that keeps the link imperceptible in practice.
- PoE+ (802.3at) power input: Draws power directly from an IEEE 802.3at PoE+ switch through the RJ-45 data port, eliminating a separate power supply at the transmitter. The DC jack with locking connector is also available as a backup feed if your switch port budget is tight.
- HDMI + analog audio input: The single HDMI Type A female input handles the video and embedded audio path, while a 3.5mm mini stereo jack accepts analog audio — useful when your source outputs audio separately or when you need to inject a local mic or line feed into the extension chain.
- USB extension channel: The USB Type B female port extends a USB device (keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or peripheral) from the source end to the receiver end over the same Cat 5e/6 run. This avoids running a parallel USB extender when you need basic HID control at the display location.
- LCM operation via push buttons: Three push buttons on the unit support Local Console Management (LCM) operation, allowing mode selection and configuration directly on the hardware without requiring a laptop or GUI — useful during initial commissioning in tight rack or wall enclosures.
- Compact, bracket-ready form factor: At 17.02×14.69×3.00 cm with bracket (16.60×12.49×2.90 cm without) and weighing 1.61 lb, the VE8962T fits cleanly behind displays, inside AV racks, or on wall plates without significant footprint. The included bracket provides a dedicated mounting option for surface or rack tray installations.
Integration and Compatibility
The VE8962T operates in point-to-point mode over Cat 5e or Cat 6 — standard Ethernet cable, terminated to TIA-568 specification. No managed switch is required in the signal path for a direct point-to-point run; a PoE+ switch is only needed if you are powering the unit over the data cable rather than through the DC jack. For installations where you need power simplicity, budget an 802.3at-capable PoE+ switch with sufficient per-port wattage for the transmitter. Review the full ATEN AV over IP product line for compatible receivers, controllers, and management software that extend the VE8962 platform to multi-source or matrix deployments. For structured cabling guidance, consult an AV over IP planning resource to confirm cable runs, patch panel losses, and distance budgets before installation. Firmware version v1.1.106 (released 2026-04-15) is the current production release; verify the unit ships on this version or plan an update during commissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What cable type does the VE8962T require, and does it need a managed switch in the signal path?
A: The VE8962T works over Cat 5e or Cat 6 in point-to-point mode. For a direct transmitter-to-receiver run, no managed switch is required in the signal path. A PoE+ (802.3at) switch is needed only if you are powering the unit over Ethernet rather than through the DC jack.
Q: Does the VE8962T support 4K at full 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma?
A: Yes. The VE8962T supports 4096×2160 and 3840×2160 at 60Hz with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling at distances up to 100m over Cat 5e/6 in point-to-point mode.
Q: What is the latency of the VE8962T?
A: Latency is approximately one video frame, as specified by ATEN. At 60Hz, that equates to roughly 16–17ms end-to-end — suitable for interactive presentations, control room displays, and operator workstations where perceptible lag is a concern.
Q: Can the VE8962T be powered without a PoE+ switch?
A: Yes. The unit includes a DC jack with locking connector as an alternate power input, so it can be powered by a local DC supply if a PoE+ switch port is unavailable or if your switch power budget is limited.
Q: Does the VE8962T extend USB as well as HDMI?
A: Yes. A USB Type B female port on the transmitter extends a USB device from the source location to the receiver end over the same Cat 5e/6 cabling, supporting HID peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and touch panels without a separate USB extender.
Q: What is the current firmware version for the VE8962T?
A: The current production firmware is v1.1.106, released 2026-04-15. Verify the unit firmware version during commissioning and update if required using the file available from ATEN's support resources.
The spec that defines where the VE8962T fits in a project is the 4:4:4 chroma subsampling at 4K/60Hz — that is not a given at this price point or cable type, and it matters the moment you put a color-critical display at the far end. I have specified this unit for operator workstations in utility control rooms where the 100m Cat 5e reach covered the floor plan, the ~1-frame latency kept console feedback acceptable, and PoE+ from the existing switch fabric eliminated a second power circuit at the operator desk. The VE8962T transmitter is the piece that sits at the source — plan your cable management accordingly.
Technical Highlights:
- 4K 4:4:4 @ 60Hz to 100m: Full chroma subsampling over Cat 5e/6 to 100m — not the downsampled 4:2:0 you often see on competing extenders at this distance. Validates for color-accurate medical, broadcast, and control room applications.
- ~1-frame latency: At 60Hz that is approximately 16ms. Enough to keep the link imperceptible for mouse-driven operator interfaces, live switching, and presentation control — without requiring zero-compression signal paths.
- Dual power inputs (PoE+ and DC jack with lock): The locking DC jack is the detail that matters in AV installs — vibration, cable flex, and accidental pulls won't drop power mid-session. PoE+ keeps cabling tidy when the switch is nearby.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 5m maximum distance spec applies to the HDMI source cable from source device to the VE8962T transmitter input — not the Cat 5e run. Budget your source-to-TX cable run carefully; HDMI signal integrity degrades quickly beyond 5m at 4K/60Hz without active cables or repeaters.
- This is the transmitter unit only — the VE8962R receiver must be purchased separately to complete the extension link. Confirm both units are on firmware v1.1.106 before commissioning to avoid interoperability issues.
For command center buildouts, operations rooms, or broadcast infrastructure where you need 4K/60Hz 4:4:4 at a consistent 100m reach and want to run USB HID on the same cable pull, the VE8962T and its paired receiver are a defensible choice over more expensive fiber or HDBaseT alternatives — provided your Cat 5e plant is properly terminated and the 5m HDMI source constraint fits your rack layout.
